Rebellion of Absalom
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upon his throne, the skeptic and infidel might have had some excuse
for citing the history of David as a reproach to the religion of the
Bible. But in the experience through which He caused David to pass,
the Lord shows that He cannot tolerate or excuse sin. And David’s
history enables us to see also the great ends which God has in view
in His dealings with sin; it enables us to trace, even through darkest
judgments, the working out of His purposes of mercy and beneficence.
He caused David to pass under the rod, but He did not destroy him; the
furnace is to purify, but not to consume. The Lord says, “If they break
My statutes, and keep not My commandments; then will I visit their
transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless
My loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My
faithfulness to fail.”
Psalm 89:31-33
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Soon after David left Jerusalem, Absalom and his army entered,
and without a struggle took possession of the stronghold of Israel.
Hushai was among the first to greet the new-crowned monarch, and
the prince was surprised and gratified at the accession of his father’s
old friend and counselor. Absalom was confident of success. Thus
far his schemes had prospered, and eager to strengthen his throne and
secure the confidence of the nation, he welcomed Hushai to his court.
Absalom was now surrounded by a large force, but it was mostly
composed of men untrained for war. As yet they had not been brought
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into conflict. Ahithophel well knew that David’s situation was far from
hopeless. A large part of the nation were still true to him; he was
surrounded by tried warriors, who were faithful to their king, and his
army was commanded by able and experienced generals. Ahithophel
knew that after the first burst of enthusiasm in favor of the new king,
a reaction would come. Should the rebellion fail, Absalom might be
able to secure a reconciliation with his father; then Ahithophel, as
his chief counselor, would be held most guilty for the rebellion; upon
him the heaviest punishment would fall. To prevent Absalom from
retracing his steps, Ahithophel counseled him to an act that in the
eyes of the whole nation would make reconciliation impossible. With
hellish cunning this wily and unprincipled statesman urged Absalom
to add the crime of incest to that of rebellion. In the sight of all Israel
he was to take to himself his father’s concubines, according to the
custom of oriental nations, thus declaring that he succeeded to his
father’s throne. And Absalom carried out the vile suggestion. Thus